Quiltingboard Forums

Quiltingboard Forums (https://www.quiltingboard.com/)
-   Main (https://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1/)
-   -   What size scraps do you save? (https://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1/what-size-scraps-do-you-save-t221194.html)

PaperPrincess 05-11-2013 03:48 AM

I also keep anything 1" or wider. I've been using my left over 100% cotton and wool scraps of fabric and batting as mulch in my perennial beds (don't know as I would use them in a vegetable garden... dyes?) I've been doing this for about 2 years and it works great. I throw everything into a box, then when it's reasonably full I take a pair of snips, like the ones you would use for a rag quilt, just stick them into the pile and snip. Great TV watching activity. This cuts up longer strips. Interesting to see which fabrics fade. Some from my first tries are still color fast. Some seem to fade in weeks.

Sideways 05-11-2013 04:52 AM

I really dislike throwing any fabric in the trash!! Slivers maybe, just slivers. Lol the rest I keep. Love to paper piece so tiny is good for miniatures.

luvstoquilt301 05-11-2013 05:00 AM

I have a very small sewing room 9 x 9. I thought about what quilts I like to make for charity and the size of scraps for each one. Strings must be at least 1 1/2. Smallest scrap is 2 1/2x 4 1/2. Smallest square is 3 1/2 x 3 1/2.

I keep up with the cutting and make a quilt when if looks like there is enough.

Sisterhood 05-12-2013 02:26 AM

I am part of the quilting ministry at my church. We are always out of everything. I'd say save anything that you can make a 3in. Square out of or larger. We have some talented people, and you'd be surprised what they can do with next to nothing.

carolaug 05-12-2013 02:54 AM

Anything under 2 inches I use as stuffing for dog and cat toys. Both the granddogs love it..and so do my cats, of course I add catkip to there toys. I also use pillow or furniture fabric instead of quilting fabric for the toys, but the filling...anything goes.

RGAY 05-12-2013 04:05 AM


Originally Posted by DebraK (Post 6056890)
if I can get a 2" square out of a piece of fabric, I do it. i have a small box I throw crumbs into. Sometimes I use them to make fabric, sometimes I give them away.

Must get another container for the fabric "crumbs"!!! LOVE that term! I was tossing the crumbs and saving an inch or bigger - but will now save everything but the tiny confetti from trimming an appliqué seam as I turn it. That would be a little OCD!

solstice3 05-12-2013 04:31 AM

I try to limit myself to 2 1/2 inch but find that I end up putting those in one place and bagging the smaller pieces to donate....and the bag sits not going anywhere.

applique 05-12-2013 04:41 AM


Originally Posted by Jackie R (Post 6056874)
Just interested in what size scraps you save and what size is tossed in the trash? Thanks.

Sometimes I feel guilty and put the scraps into a pile. Eventually they get cleaned up and put into the trash. When I cut fabric at work the scraps go into the trash and people fish them out! To each his or her own!

maviskw 05-12-2013 04:43 AM

LOVE THIS THREAD! I made a scrap quilt for my granddaughter of scrappy squares put together with white sashing. I tried to make the scrappy 2 inch cornerstones with 4 or more pieces, but one had 11 pieces.

I have a waste basket with a small pillowcase-like lining (trash fabric). All the "lint" goes in there for cat pillows for Kathy's local cat shelter. When it's full I sew it shut. Kathy says just throw them into her garage.

Don't forget the BATTING! I keep a pillowcase-sized bag nearby when I'm working with batting. All small scraps go in there. (I join larger scraps to make more batting). When that bag is full, I make a nice cover for it so I can donate it to the local food pantry or homeless shelter.

salemrabbits 05-12-2013 04:43 AM

I make crumb blocks so I use just about everything that is big enough to stitch together- if not..into the doggie bag it goes OR out on the lawn for bird nests. You'd be suprised at the bird nests I see close to my house with bits of colors.


All times are GMT -8. The time now is 12:48 PM.